Kaoru Mitoma’s New Deal: Brighton Contract, Salary, and Predicted Transfer Fee

Since their ascension to the Premier League in 2017, Brighton & Hove Albion have established themselves as a powerhouse in nurturing talent. Their astute global scouting strategy has allowed them to discover and nurture hidden gems from around the world, enhancing their team’s performance while also setting them up for potential lucrative transfer deals.

A testament to their success is Chelsea’s record-breaking transfer of Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a whopping £115 million ($146 million) in the summer. As we move into 2024, the transfer market is buzzing once again, this time with speculations around the future of Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma.

After an outstanding year with the club, Mitoma has reportedly been offered a new contract that will significantly increase his earnings and potentially set a high bar for any interested parties.

Mitoma’s journey to Brighton began with his transfer from Kawasaki Frontale, a Japanese club, in August 2021. He was then loaned to Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise for the 2021/22 season. His stint in Belgium was marked by an impressive tally of seven league goals from 27 appearances, building on his record of 30 goals over two seasons in Japan.

Mitoma’s early career choices reflect his unique approach to football. At 18, he chose not to join a professional team, prioritizing his education instead. He studied at the University of Tsukuba from 2016 to 2019, a renowned center for sporting excellence. His academic pursuits included a thesis on dribbling techniques, which he has successfully implemented during his time at Brighton.

Mitoma’s debut season in 2022/23 saw him score seven Premier League goals and provide five assists. However, a deeper dive into his stats reveals his true value to Brighton’s attack. In the 2022/23 season, he ranked fifth for successful take-ons (58), second only to Bukayo Saka for progressive carries (143), and trailed only Mohamed Salah for carries into the penalty area (85).

His stellar performance has continued into the 2023/24 season, with three goals in nine games across all competitions. This has undoubtedly caught the attention of other clubs.

Mitoma’s new contract is set to run until June 2027 and promises a significant pay rise. Upon joining Brighton in 2021, he signed a four-year contract with an annual wage of around £520,000/$635,000 (£10,000/$12,000 per week). However, Football Insider reports suggest that his new deal could potentially double these figures.

An early October 2023 report by London World claimed that Mitoma’s new contract would see his weekly wages jump to £80,000/$97,500 (£4.2 million/$5.1 million per year).

According to Transfermrkt.com, Mitoma’s current transfer value stands at approximately £30m/$36.5m. However, if Brighton decides to sell him in 2024, this figure could potentially double. If Mitoma signs his new contract extending until 2028, his worth will undoubtedly skyrocket even further.